Text and images Britt-Arnhild Wigum Lindland
(and one photo by Mauro Vianello)
Out in the laguna you find the small island of Burano. The island with the colourful houses. The island with the old tradition of making lace.
"I know an old lady who make perfect pieces of art", Mauro wrote me, "do you want me to take you there?"
Of course I wanted him to take me there.
Who wouldn't!
Mauro stopped his boat along one of the fundamentas, we climbed out and had to search a little to find the right house, the house of Berta Rossi (do I remember her name correct Mauro?), the 80 years old lace maker. The artist.
Stepping into her home was like stepping into another world. No doorstep, only a curtain, to make it easy for the cats to walk in and out. Berta had to remove a huge plate of cat food to let us in. Inside, the livingroom was dark, only Berta's work lamp was shining where she sat, in the middle of her lace work.
Like stepping into another world. Another time.
I loved it!
Berta speaks Venecian dialect, with a Burano accent- Lucky for us we had Mauro there to translate. I loved to listen when Berta told about her childhood, being the oldest of 8, how she learned the art of lace, how she had to go to Murano to work in a glass factory at an early ago............and from time to time I even understood what she was saying.
I am adapting to Italy and Italians :-)
Berta was working on a flower when we came. She already had one finished and framed, and we were almost about to buy it....
....but it was so hard to decide.
What about a pair of baby shoes?
A bib?
Or a fan?
In the end we decided for a bib. Not the one Berta is holding up, but another, even more beautiful one. With two love birds kissing.
We will frame it, and may be take it out of the frame if we ever get grandchildren, to use on photographing on his/her baptist day :-)
Thank you Berta Rossi for opening up your home and your heart for us. For showing us your art. For letting us bring one piece of art back to Norway and The House in the Woods.
How I wish that I could tell you, in Venezian dialect, that you look so beautiful. Your sparkling eyes, your hands perfect for making lace, your young smile.
You will hold a special place in my heart.
